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Cervical osteochondrosis: treatment and symptoms

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is signaled by pain

Neck pain is a warning sign.Maybe it's just overexertion and you should just kick back and relax.But what if the pain is associated with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?It is important to pay special attention to symptoms and treatment, because complications can affect the most important organ – the brain.

What is cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative disease of the osteochondral system of the body.It leads to the destruction of the cervical intervertebral discs, the growth of bone tissue of the vertebrae and the formation of growths on their surfaces.

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, the first of which connects to the skull.The anatomical and functional unit of the spine is the movement segment of the spine.This is the joint complex that moves the spine.The complex consists of two vertebrae, an intervertebral disc, articular surfaces of the vertebrae (facets), nerves, ligaments and muscles.

Osteochondrosis begins with damage to the intervertebral disc and affects all surrounding tissues.Over time, the process leads to disruption of the biomechanics of the spine as a whole.With the development of osteochondrosis, herniations of intervertebral discs and compression of nerve roots and blood vessels can occur.

Pathological processes in the intervertebral disc go through four stages: malnutrition, weakening of ligaments, disc damage and nerve compression.

  • Phase 1

    The nutritional and metabolic conditions of the intervertebral disc are disturbed.Due to their structure, the drives are powered only while they are moving.If it is not there, degenerative changes in the tissue begin: the disc starves and dehydrates.The loss of water leads to the fact that the intervertebral disc cannot perform shock absorbing functions.The load on the fibrous ring increases, cracks and tears appear in it.Minor pain may occur at this time.

  • Phase 2

    In the second stage, the ligamentous apparatus of the spinal movement segment is weakened.The relationship becomes pathologically mobile.The pathological process in the disc worsens, a hernia (prolapse) begins - leakage of the nucleus pulposus through cracks in the fibrous ring.The pain becomes intermittent.

  • Phase 3

    Then, the intervertebral disc is permanently damaged.The nucleus pulposus of the disc extends beyond the annulus fibrosus.The resulting hernia can affect the nerve roots.An inflammatory process develops.This is manifested by worsening pain, the so-called radicular syndrome.

  • Phase 4

    In the fourth stage, the lesion affects nearby tissues.Compression of the radicular artery is possible, which leads to insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.As a result, part of the spine can become completely immobilized.

First signs and main symptoms

At the beginning of the development of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, discomfort, restriction of movement, pain in the neck area appear.It is often not given importance.

Over time, the pain intensifies, becomes painful, burning, headache, neck, shoulder blades, shoulders hurt - maybe it's the development of vertebral artery syndrome.The artery constricts or spasms, and blood flow is disrupted.

In stages 1-2 of cervical osteochondrosis, ophthalmological problems associated with spasm of blood vessels often occur.Darkness in the eyes, flickering, the appearance of "floating", colored spots in front of the eyes - these are all symptoms of osteochondrosis.

The most common symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

  • Migraines, dizziness, nausea and cough;
  • Hearing impairment, pain in the ear, face;
  • Motor disorders in the hands and feet.The sensitivity of the scalp may disappear;
  • Pain in the arm.If the nerve root is pinched, then the entire area to which it sends impulses can hurt or "fall out".

In addition to the above symptoms, three main pain syndromes can be distinguished:accompanying osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.A syndrome is a whole complex of symptoms.Determining the underlying pain syndrome is important, as the entire treatment regimen is based on pain relief.But it is impossible to eliminate it without knowing its origin.

  1. Myofascial syndrome- pain in skeletal muscles and adjacent fascia.The disorder is associated with overuse, which causes spasm, hypertonicity and painful knots within the muscles (trigger points).
  2. Radicular syndrome- pain caused by long-term compression of the spinal nerve root.The process of hernia formation in osteochondrosis of the spine leads to pinching of nerve fibers and subsequent inflammatory reaction.The pain spreads along the nerve.
  3. Facet syndrome- pain in the joints of the vertebrae.The vertebrae from the second cervical have articular processes that are connected to each other by facet joints.In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are destroyed, their height decreases, and this leads to the fact that the joint capsules of the facet joints are in constant tension.It causes pain.Moreover, the pain increases towards the end of the day, especially with prolonged forced posture.

Causes of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine

One of the key causes of osteochondrosis is the evolutionary inadaptability of the spine to high vertical loads.Human ancestors walked on four legs, as did other mammals.They did not suffer from osteochondrosis, because in the horizontal position of the body the intradiscal pressure is two times lower than in the vertical position.By the standards of evolution, the transition to an upright posture happened not so long ago, and the spine simply did not have time to adapt to a large vertical load.So, along with walking upright, a person also got diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The structure of the human neck makes it even more vulnerable.The human neck consists of seven small movable vertebrae, which are articulated to each other like a child's pyramid.This structure can hardly be called stable outside the state of rest.In addition, the muscular framework in this area is weak, and the loads can be high - all this makes the neck vulnerable.Every injury is fraught with consequences.Even if the damage was in another part of the spine, the redistribution of the load can be the cause of osteochondrosis.

Another factor is aging.The formation of skeletal and cartilage tissue ends by the age of 21, after which the irreversible aging process (degeneration) begins.Cartilage tissue is nourished only by diffusion, and if the intervertebral disc does not receive enough nutrients, it begins to gradually deteriorate.

In addition, the development of cervical osteochondrosis promotes:

  1. Autoimmune diseases.They involve their own cells in the pathological process of destruction of cartilage tissue.
  2. Infections, hormonal imbalance, slow metabolism - all these circulatory disorders can also serve as factors in the development of osteochondrosis.
  3. Sedentary lifestyle, working conditions in which a person spends most of the time in a forced static position.
  4. High loads that lead to injury can lead to compression.
  5. Genetic defects associated with weakness of the musculoskeletal system and inferiority of cartilage tissue.

The spinal canal in the cervical spine is very narrow, so heavy loads, any disorder or injury can lead to compression of the spinal cord.And this is very dangerous.

In addition, a large number of nerve endings and blood vessels pass through this area.If blood stops flowing to the brain in adequate volume, a stroke can occur.

Diagnostics

During the initial diagnosis of cervical osteochondrosis, the doctor collects the patient's medical history.He finds out what and how it hurts, with what intensity, during exercise or at rest, at what time of day it hurts more, whether there were injuries to the cervical part of the spine.

When examining the neck, the doctor feels the neck vertebrae and muscles, lymph nodes;assesses range of motion, excludes or confirms radicular syndrome.

After that, in order to rule out autoimmune diseases, laboratory diagnostics are prescribed: general blood count, ESR, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27 antigen.

Radiography, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play a major role in the diagnosis.

  • Radiographyhelps to assess the state of bone structures;soft tissues and cartilage are not shown in the images.Contrast agent is injected to visualize these structures: angiography, discography, myelography.
  • computed tomography (CT).This method also uses the principle of radiography, but with the help of computer processing it is possible to obtain a series of longitudinal and cross-sectional images showing bone and cartilage tissue.
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).It is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of pathologies, including cartilage and soft tissues.MRI provides insight not only into the structure of organs and tissues, but also into their functioning.In the case of osteochondrosis, a common complication is spinal hernia.MRI allows you to diagnose the process of hernia formation in the early stages.

Treatment

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is limited to conservative methods.First, the pain syndrome is alleviated, and then various procedures are prescribed.But in the most extreme cases, when the pain does not go away for more than three months and drugs do not help, surgery is the only option.

Non-surgical methods of treatment

Osteochondrosis affects the osteochondrosis system for many years, so treatment will take time.You have to be patient.Goals of conservative treatment:

  1. Take away the pain.
  2. Reduce inflammation.
  3. Restore the functions of the spinal roots.
  4. Strengthen the muscular corset and ligaments.

Conservative treatment includes drug therapy and physical therapy.Medicines help relieve pain during an exacerbation, and physiotherapy helps to initiate the body's self-healing process.

In severe pain with radicular syndrome, so-called "blockades" are performed: the drug is applied in the immediate vicinity of the inflamed spinal nerve root.

Physiotherapy treatment is based on natural and artificially recreated physical factors: cold, heat, electric current, magnetic radiation, laser, etc.To recreate them, special devices, devices and manual techniques are used.

  • Laser therapy— biological activation of the intervertebral disc regeneration process.The body begins to heal itself.
  • plasma therapy (PRP therapy)- injections of plasma isolated from the patient's blood.Plasma is rich in platelets, growth factors and hormones.After injections, local immunity increases and regeneration processes are initiated.
  • Acupuncture- stimulation of nerve endings with special needles.Improves metabolism in affected areas, relieves pain.
  • Shock wave therapy- exposure to high-frequency waves.It allows you to initiate natural recovery processes.
  • Kinesitherapy- movement therapy.It can be active (physical therapy) and passive (massage, traction).Exercise therapy strengthens back muscles, traction relieves tension and pain.Selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
  • Manual therapy and massage- impact on soft tissues and joints in order to restore balance in the body and synchronize processes.Restore mobility and eliminate pain.
  • Taping- gluing special patches to the skin in places where it is necessary to influence the receptors of muscle stretching and compression.It can also relax and improve tone.

During the period of acute pain, the patient is recommended to wear special bandages and collars around the neck to reduce the load on the spine.

A positive effect of conservative treatment is achieved in 2-3 months.If there are no results, the patient is recommended surgery.

Surgical methods of treatment of osteochondrosis

Surgery in the case of cervical osteochondrosis is an extreme measure that requires special indications.Surgery is recommended if:

  1. Pain cannot be alleviated by therapeutic treatment for more than 3 months.
  2. There is a herniated disc.
  3. Loss of feeling in the limbs.

Postoperative rehabilitation also takes time and may include therapeutic treatment.

Cervical osteochondrosis is a complex degenerative disease.It cannot be left untreated.Such serious disorders in the musculoskeletal system can lead to disability.Neck pain can become chronic, and osteochondrosis can spread to several parts of the spine.Timely prevention can prevent the development of this disease.

Prevention

To keep your cervical spine healthy, daily physical activity is necessary.Nutrition of the intervertebral discs occurs during movement, so it is extremely necessary.It is important that the loads are optimal and regular.

If the work involves constant staying in a static position, periodic warm-up is required.And at home after a working day, you can lie for a while on your back on a flat surface, putting a pillow under your neck.This method will help restore the cervical curve of the spine and remove muscle tension.

Correct posture during sleep is important in the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.If a person wakes up in the morning with neck pain, it means that the muscles did not have time to rest and recover.An orthopedic pillow, which is selected individually for 3-5 years, will help here.